Methods, devices, and systems for decoding portions of video content according to a schedule based on user viewpoint

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first viewpoint in response to detecting a user&#39;s head movement in viewing video content, determining a capacity of a network, determining a tile schedule for receiving tiles from a server over the network according to the first viewpoint and the capacity of the network, and providing the tile schedule to the server over the network. The server schedules transmitting of the tiles according to the tile schedule and provides the tiles to the client device according to the tile schedule. In addition, embodiments include decoding the tiles according to a decoding schedule, buffering the decoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer, detecting a change in viewpoint from the first viewpoint to a second viewpoint, selecting a portion of the decoded tiles according to the second viewpoint, and presenting the selected tiles. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to methods, devices, and systems fordecoding portions of video content according to a schedule based on userviewpoint.

BACKGROUND

Current video content streaming services include a video content serverproviding portions of video content to a client device for viewing by auser. As the user changes viewpoint, the video content server providesadditional portions of the video content for viewing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIGS. 2A-2C, and FIG. 2H are block diagrams illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of a system functioning within thecommunication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 2D-G depict illustrative embodiments of methods in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for determining a first viewpoint of a user in response todetecting a head movement of the user in viewing video content,determining a capacity of a communication network, determining a tileschedule for receiving a plurality of tiles from a video content serverover the communication network according to the first viewpoint and thecapacity of the communication network, and providing the tile scheduleto the video content server over the communication network. The videocontent server schedules transmitting of the plurality of tilesaccording to the tile schedule, and provides the plurality of tiles tothe device according to the tile schedule. Further embodiments includedecoding the plurality of tiles according to a decoding scheduleresulting in a plurality of decoded tiles, buffering the plurality ofdecoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer, detecting a change in viewpointby the user from the first viewpoint to a second viewpoint of the user,selecting a portion of the plurality of decoded tiles according to thesecond viewpoint resulting in selected tiles, and presenting theselected tiles. Other embodiments are described in the subjectdisclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device,comprising a processing system including a processor, and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. Operations can comprisedetermining a first viewpoint of a user in response to detecting a headmovement of the user in viewing video content, determining a capacity ofa communication network, determining a tile schedule for receiving aplurality of tiles from a video content server over the communicationnetwork according to the first viewpoint and the capacity of thecommunication network, and providing the tile schedule to the videocontent server over the communication network. The video content serverschedules transmitting of the plurality of tiles according to the tileschedule and video content server provides the plurality of tiles to thedevice according to the tile schedule. Further, the operations comprisedecoding the plurality of tiles according to a decoding scheduleresulting in a plurality of decoded tiles, buffering the plurality ofdecoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer, detecting a change in viewpointby the user from the first viewpoint to a second viewpoint of the user,selecting a portion of the plurality of decoded tiles according to thesecond viewpoint resulting in selected tiles, and presenting theselected tiles.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. Operations can comprise determining a first viewpoint of auser in response to detecting a head movement of the user in viewingvideo content, determining a capacity of a communication network,determining a tile schedule for receiving a plurality of tiles from avideo content server over the communication network according to thefirst viewpoint and the capacity of the communication network, andproviding the tile schedule to the video content server over thecommunication network. The video content server schedules transmittingof the plurality of tiles according to the tile schedule and providesthe plurality of tiles to the processing system according to the tileschedule. Further operations comprise identifying a playback time foreach of the plurality of tiles resulting in a group of playback timesfor each of the plurality of tiles, generating a decoding scheduleaccording to the group of playback times, decoding the plurality oftiles according to the decoding schedule resulting in a plurality ofdecoded tiles, buffering the plurality of decoded tiles in a decodedframe buffer, detecting a change in viewpoint by the user from the firstviewpoint to a second viewpoint of the user, selecting a portion of theplurality of decoded tiles according to the second viewpoint resultingin selected tiles, and presenting the selected tiles.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a method. Themethod can comprise determining, by a processing system including aprocessor, a first viewpoint of a user in response to detecting a headmovement of the user in viewing video content, determining, by theprocessing system, a capacity of a communication network, determining,by the processing system, a tile schedule for receiving a plurality oftiles from a video content server over the communication networkaccording to the first viewpoint and the capacity of the communicationnetwork, and providing, by the processing system, the tile schedule tothe video content server over the communication network. The videocontent server schedules transmitting of the plurality of tilesaccording to the tile schedule and the video content server provides theplurality of tiles to the processing system. Further operations comprisedecoding, by the processing system, the plurality of tiles according toa decoding schedule resulting in a plurality of decoded tiles,detecting, by the processing system, that a decoded frame buffer is fullwith the plurality of decoded tiles, identifying, by the processingsystem, a first decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles. Thefirst decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is notin the first viewpoint and the plurality of decoded tiles comprises thefirst decoded tile. Additional operations comprise removing, by theprocessing system, the first decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer,buffering, by the processing system, the plurality of decoded tiles inthe decoded frame buffer, detecting, by the processing system, a changein viewpoint by the user from the first viewpoint to a second viewpointof the user, selecting, by the processing system, a portion of theplurality of decoded tiles according to the second viewpoint resultingin selected tiles, and presenting, by the processing system, theselected tiles.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For example,communications network 100 can facilitate in whole or in part a videocontent server providing a plurality of tiles of video content to aclient device according to a user's first viewpoint. In particular, acommunications network 125 is presented for providing broadband access110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 via access terminal 112,wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126via base station or access point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality oftelephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or morecontent sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text and/or other media.While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 andmedia access 140 are shown separately, one or more of these forms ofaccess can be combined to provide multiple access services to a singleclient device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content viamedia terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access viaswitching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIGS. 2A-2B and FIG. 2G are block diagrams illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of a system functioning within thecommunication network of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein. Referring to FIG. 2A, the system 200 can include avideo content server 201 that can provide video content, or portionsthereof, to a client device 205 over a communication network for viewingby a user 207. In some embodiments, the video content server 201 can beoperated by a video content service provider and video content can beuploaded into memory of the video content server 201 by video contentservice provider personnel. In other embodiments, the video contentserver 201 can obtain the video content from another media contentserver, including a social media server. In further embodiments, thevideo content server 201 can obtain video content from other clientdevices (not shown) capturing the video content (such as a live event,concert, sporting event, etc.) and provide the video content to theclient device 205 after storing the video content for a period of timeto provide to the client device in the future. In additionalembodiments, the video content provided by the video content server 201to the client device 205 can be part of a Video-On-Demand (VOD) serviceprovided by a media content service provider.

In one or more embodiments, the video content can be panoramic videocontent. In some embodiments the panoramic video content can be 360degree video content and in other embodiments, the panoramic videocontent can be less than 360 degree video content. In furtherembodiments, the client device 205 can be a mobile device such as amobile phone, wearable device, smart watch, virtual reality headset,tablet computer, and/or laptop computer. In additional embodiments, theclient device 205 can be a desktop computer, set top box, mediaprocessor, gaming system, and/or any other computing device.

In one or more embodiments, the client device 205 can be used inconjunction with a virtual reality headset 208 for the user 207 to viewpanoramic video content. When viewing the panoramic video content, thevirtual reality headset 208 renders the video content on it display suchthat the user 207 has the perspective of viewing the panoramic videocontent from a middle 206 of a sphere 202. As the user 207 turns to viewdifferent parts of the panoramic video content the virtual realityheadset detects the head movement of the user 207 and renders thesedifferent parts of the panoramic video content accordingly. Further, thevideo content server 201 can provide portions of the panoramic videocontent to the client device 205 or virtual reality headset 208.Portions of the panoramic video content can comprise multiple tiles.That is, the video content server 201 can slice the panoramic videocontent into multiple tiles 204 and provide portions of the panoramicvideo content comprising multiple tiles. In addition, upon receiving themultiple tiles, the virtual reality headset 208 can render the multipletiles on its display for viewing by the user 207. In furtherembodiments, the tiles can be encoded as part of a VOD service of amedia content service provider or encoded as obtained by another server(e.g. social media server) or other client device.

In one or more embodiments, the client device 205 or the virtual realityheadset 208 detects the head movement of the user 207 viewing the videocontent. According to the user's head movement, the virtual realityheadset 208 or client device 205 determines a user's first viewpoint. Insome embodiments, the client device 205 or virtual reality headset 208can determine a capacity of the communication network 203. Networkcapacity can be estimated by measuring the number of bits, or number ofpackets, that are received by the client device 205 over a period oftime or by any other measure of network bandwidth or capacity. Further,the communication network 203 can be a wired network, wireless network,or a combination thereof. In additional embodiments, the client device205 can determine a tile schedule for multiple tiles of the videocontent according to the user's first viewpoint and the capacity of thecommunication network 203. Also, the client device 205 can provide thetile schedule to the video content server 201. Further, the videocontent server 201 can schedule transmitting of multiple tiles to theclient device 205 according to the tile schedule. In addition, the videocontent server 201 provides the multiple tiles to the client device 205according to the tile schedule.

In one or more embodiments, the client device 205 can decode themultiple tiles according a decoding schedule resulting in multipledecoded tiles. In further embodiments, the client device can buffer themultiple decoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer. In additionalembodiments, the client device 205 can detect a change in viewpoint bythe user from the user's first viewpoint to a user's second viewpoint.In some embodiments, the client device 205 can select a portion of themultiple decoded tiles according to the user's second viewpointresulting in a portion of selected tiles. In other embodiments, theclient device 205 can present the selected tiles.

Referring to FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, in one or more embodiments, system 210shows multiple tiles of video content in a two dimensional array 218 fora time index 0 (See FIG. 2B) and time index 1 (See FIG. 2C). A user'sfirst viewpoint 214 can be shown to cover a portion of the multipletiles 216. Thus, a video content server provides the tiles 216 to aclient device for rendering to the user. Tiles can be encoded using themotion picture experts group (MPEG) compression. MPEG compressionencodes portions of the video content into Intra coded frames or Iframes and encodes other portions of the video content in Predicted (P)or Bi-directionally predicted B frames. Further, decoding the tiles caninclude decoding tiles that include I frames at time index 0 and thendecode tiles that include B frames at time index 1. According to theMPEG compression protocol, I frames are decoded prior to decoding Bframes as decoding of a B frame depends on a decoded I frame, as a Bframe includes information that are the changes from an I frame and thusmust be decoded after decoding of the I frame. Thus, for a B frame attime index 1 to be decoded, the client device must first receive the Iframe at time index 0. B frames may require prior decoding of two otherframes (I frames and P frames).

In one or more embodiments, a video content server can provide furthertiles 219, 221 to the client device 205 that contain I frame 222 a-229 awhen it receives the user's first viewpoint in anticipation of the userchanging viewpoint to a second viewpoint at time index 1. In furtherembodiments, the video content server can not only provide tiles with Iframes 222 a-229 a at time index 0 but also tiles with B frames 222b-229 b at time index 1. Thus, the video content server can provide bothgroups of tiles 222 a-229 a, 222 b-229 b such that B frames 222 b-229 bcan be decoded from I frames 222 a-229 a and rendered when the user'schange in viewpoint from the user's first viewpoint to a secondviewpoint includes tiles 219.

In one or more embodiments, the video content server determines multiplesupplemental tiles 219, 221 surrounding the user first viewpoint 214 atboth time index 0 and time index 1. The video content comprises themultiple supplemental tiles 219, 221 at time index 0 and time index 1.In some embodiments, the video content identifies a portion of themultiple supplemental tiles 221 that comprise a group of supplemental Iframes 222 a-229 a and B frames 222 b-229 b. Further, the video contentserver can provide the portion of supplemental tiles 219 and 221 at timeindex 0 and time index 1. In other embodiments, decoding of the multipletiles (such as tiles with B frames 222 b-229 b) comprises decoding themultiple tiles according to the group of supplemental I frames 222 a-229a). Note, when network latency is low or network capacity is high, moresupplemental tiles can be provided to the client device to anticipate auser's head movement/change in viewpoint.

In one or more embodiments, a client device detects a user's secondviewpoint. It identifies a group of frames according to the user'ssecond viewpoint resulting in an identified group of frames. Further,the client device selects a portion of tiles corresponding to the groupof frames. Such group of frames can be stored in the decoded framebuffer.

FIGS. 2D-G depict illustrative embodiments of methods in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. Referring to FIG. 2D, in one or moreembodiments, method 230 can be implemented by a client device, such as amobile device, or by a video content server, as shown in FIG. 2A.Further, the method 230 can include the client device, at 232, detectinga user's head movement in viewing video content on the client device. Inaddition, the method 230 can include the client device, at 234,determining a user's first viewpoint in viewing the video content. Insome embodiments, the client device can be virtual reality headset thatcomprises a motion sensor such that the user's first viewpoint can bedetermined by the user's head movement using the motion sensor. In otherembodiments, determining the user's first viewpoint can be includingcapturing an image of the user and determining the user first viewpointusing image recognition techniques.

In one or more embodiments, the method 230 can include the clientdevice, at 236, determining a capacity of a communication network.Further, the method 230 can include the client device, at 238,determining a tile schedule for receiving a plurality of tiles from avideo content server over the communication network according to thefirst viewpoint and the capacity of the communication network. Inaddition, the method 230 can include the client device, at 240,providing the tile schedule to the video content server over thecommunication network. Also, the method 230 can include the videocontent server, at 242, transmitting the plurality of tiles according tothe tile schedule. The video content comprises the plurality of tiles.Further, the method 230 can include the video content server, at 244,providing the plurality of tiles to the device according to the tileschedule.

In one or more embodiments, the method 230 can include the clientdevice, at 246, decoding the plurality of tiles according to a decodingschedule resulting in a plurality of decoded tiles. Further, the method230 can include the client device, at 248, buffering the plurality ofdecoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer. In addition, the method 230 caninclude the client device, at 250, detecting a change in viewpoint bythe user from the user's first viewpoint to a user's second viewpoint.Also, the method 230 can include the client device, at 252, selecting aportion of the plurality of decoded tiles according to the user's secondviewpoint resulting in a portion of selected tiles. Further, the method230 can include the client device, at 254, presenting the selectedtiles.

Referring to FIG. 2E, in or more embodiments, the method 265 can beimplemented by a client device, as shown in FIG. 2A. The method 265 caninclude the client device, at 266, detecting the decoded frame buffer isfull with the plurality of decoded tiles. Further, the method 265 caninclude the client device, at 268, identifying a first decoded tile fromthe plurality of decoded tiles. The first decoded tile contains aportion of the video content that is not in the user's first viewpointand the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the first decoded tile. Inaddition, the method 265 can include the client device, at 270, removingthe first decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer. Also, the method265 can include the client device, at 272, detecting the decoded framebuffer is full with the plurality of decoded tiles. Further, the method265 can include the client device, at 274, identifying a second decodedtile from the plurality of decoded tiles. The second decoded tilecontains a portion of the video content that is not in the user's secondviewpoint and the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the seconddecoded tile. In addition, the method 265 can include the client device,at 276, removing the second decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer.Also, the method 265 can include the client device, at 248, bufferingthe plurality of decoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer.

Referring to FIG. 2F, the method 280 can be implemented by a clientdevice, as shown in FIG. 2A. The method 280 can include the clientdevice, at 282, identifying a playback time for each of the plurality oftiles resulting in a group of playback times for each of the pluralityof tiles. Further, the method 280 can include the client device, at 284,generating the decoding schedule according to the group of playbacktimes. In addition, the method 280 can include the client device, at286, determining a waiting time for each of the plurality of tilesresulting in a group of waiting times. Also, the method 280 can includethe client device, at 288, generating the decoding schedule according tothe group of waiting times. Further, the method 280 can include theclient device, at 246, decoding the plurality of tiles according to adecoding schedule resulting in a plurality of decoded tiles.

Referring to FIG. 2G, in one or more embodiments, method 290 can beimplemented by a client device or a video content server, as shown inFIG. 2A. The method 290 can include the client device, at 292,determining a plurality of supplemental tiles surrounding the user'sfirst viewpoint. The video content comprises the plurality ofsupplemental tiles. Further, the method 290 can include the clientdevice, at 294, identifying a portion of plurality of supplemental tilescomprising a group of supplemental I frames. The plurality of tiles inthe tile schedule comprises the portion of the plurality of supplementaltiles. In addition, the method 290 can include the video content server,at 295 providing the portion of the plurality of supplemental tiles.Also, the method 290 can include the client device, at 296, decoding theplurality of tiles comprising decoding the plurality of tiles accordingthe group of supplemental I frames.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 2C-2F,it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matteris not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Portions of embodiments can be combined with other portions ofembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2H, the video player predicts a user's head movement(i.e., viewport or viewpoint) and prefetches the tiles to be consumed bythe user. In some embodiments, a viewport-adaptive 360-degree videoplayer can be responsive to fast-paced viewport changes and viewportprediction updates. In other embodiments, targeting the ABR (adaptivebitrate) streaming, a viewport-adaptive 360-degree video player can be apractical and effective rate adaptation algorithm that determines thequalities of tiles by considering both the network capacity and headmovement, yielding a potentially huge search space. In furtherembodiments, the system in FIG. 2H, targets off-the-shelf mobile deviceswhose processing capabilities are much weaker than PCs. In particular,the total time budget for the overall processing pipeline, which isperformed entirely on the client side, is typically less than 1 secondas limited by the time window that can yield a reasonable viewportprediction accuracy.

FIG. 2H shows the high-level system design of a viewport-adaptive360-degree video player. The client device performs viewport predictionin real time. A component on the client side is the Download Planner. Ittakes as streamed input the viewport prediction and network capacityestimation, and computes the set of tiles to be downloaded as well astheir desired qualities. When tiles arrive from the server, they areproperly buffered, decoded, projected, and rendered to the viewer, asshown in the right hand side of FIG. 2H. Compared to the client side,the server can be less complex—simply transmitting the tiles perclients' requests. This client-server function partition follows theDASH streaming paradigm, which facilitates scalability and ease ofdeployment.

The system in FIG. 2H focuses on the tile decoding aspect. In otherembodiments, the decoding scheme includes the constraint where a decoderdecodes only tiles that are currently being played. Although decodersmay have their internal buffers; but the buffers can be small and notaccessible by applications. In other words, the playback and decodingare synchronized, and this forces all decoders to be synchronized aswell. The system of FIG. 2H, instead, makes decoding and playbackasynchronous. It allows decoders to cache the decoded frames of tiles tobe played in the future by introducing a Decoded Frame Buffer (DFB).Specifically, the decoding scheduler dynamically selects a received tileand sends it to an idle decoder. The decoded frames are not necessarilyconsumed right away; instead they can be stored in the DFB residing inthe video memory. When a cached frame is needed during the playback,especially when the viewport changes, it is fed into GPU for immediaterendering with negligible delay incurred. Otherwise, the player needs todecode from the corresponding I-frame and thus may not be able toguarantee smooth playback.

The system of FIG. 2H offers several advantages. First, since there isno one-to-one association between visible tiles and decoders, the numberof decoders can be greatly reduced; in theory only one decoder is needed(if it is fast enough) to decode all tiles. Second, the design ensuressmooth playback when visible tiles change, as long as future tiles areproperly cached in DFB. Third, it can be found that asynchronousdecoding also dramatically improves the performance compared tosynchronous decoding (up to 2.7× higher FPS when tested on SamsungGalaxy S7, using a local 4K video segmented into 2×4 tiles). A downsideof using the DFB is the high video memory usage, since the decodedframes are stored in their raw (uncompressed) format. However, thepresent invention proposes to store only a small number of tiles in DFB(as limited by the short prediction window of viewport prediction),making the approach feasible for 4K and even 8K videos. When this bufferis full, tiles that are further away from the viewport can be removedfirst. For tiles overlapping with the viewport, the priority isdetermined by the size of their projected area. Tiles with smallprojected area can be removed first. The feasibility of using theDecoded Frame Buffer to guarantee the smooth video playback is poweredby the viewport prediction feature. Otherwise it is challenging todetermine which tiles should be pre-fetched and decoded.

There are also embodiments solutions that can potentially solve theabove smooth playback issue when the viewport changes. Embodiments canincrease the density of I-frames and thus decrease the distance from anon-I-frame to its I-frame for decoding. The challenge here is thatthere is a trade-off between the decoding latency and the transmissionoverhead, because adding more I-frames will increase the size of a videochunk. Other embodiments can always fetch a low-quality panoramic videochunk along with the predicted tiles. This panoramic video can bedecoded and played frame-by-frame. However, if a high-quality tileoverlapping with the viewport is missing, the corresponding area fromthe low-quality panoramic frame will be displayed which may affect thequality of user experience. Further embodiments can download thelow-quality panoramic frame but that can increase the network overhead,as the portion covered by the high-quality tiles will be wasted. Thisproblem can be potentially addressed by leveraging Scalable VideoEncoding (SVC), which was standardized as an H.264 extension, and willalso be available in H.265. Some embodiments include incrementallyupgrade a fetched portion of a video frame to a higher quality usingSVC. Additional embodiments can equip mobile devices with more powerfulhardware decoders to reduce the decoding time. The downside of thissolution is that it will increase the cost of mobile devices and reducetheir battery life.

Embodiments describe what happens at the end of the streaming pipeline.Additional embodiments utilize a high-precision timer that fires at afixed frequency (e.g., 30 FPS) to render each frame. When a timer eventoccurs, the video player first checks whether all (sub)frames associatedwith the tiles in the current viewport are in the DFB. If not, a stalloccurs, and one additional timer event can be scheduled when all missingsubframes are ready. Otherwise, other embodiments project each subframeto draw the corresponding scene in the viewport. This is done byrendering a series of triangle meshes with their vertices being actuallyprojected. After all subframes are rendered, the stitched frame isdisplayed.

In one or more embodiments, the decoding scheduler's job is to selectfrom the tiles waiting at the encoded tile buffer (See FIG. 2H) the mostimportant ones to decode. It reuses the tile scheduling results thatcontain the predicted tiles sorted chronologically. Specifically, whenany decoder becomes idle, the decoding scheduler can send to thatdecoder a tile with the highest rank in the currently predicted tilelist. In other words, the decoding scheduler selects the best estimatedtile with the closest playback deadline to appear in the viewport.

As shown in FIG. 2H, the received (encoded) tiles are processed in threesteps: (1) waiting: they wait at the encoded tile buffer when alldecoders are busy; (2) decoding: some tiles are selected to be decoded;and (3) rendering: some decoded tiles stored in DFB are rendered andconsumed by the viewer. Embodiments can include that the rendering steptakes negligible time. The decoding time for a 1-second tile ranges from0.2 to 0.5 seconds (on Samsung Galaxy S8). Other embodiments can modelthe decoding time of a tile as fD/F. F=30 is the number of frames pertile; fϵ(0, F] is the first frame in the tile that will appear in thepredicted viewport trajectory; D is the per-tile decoding time (i.e.,decoding all F frames in a tile) measured by the video player, averagedover the past 20 samples.

In one or more embodiments the client can estimate the waiting time.First, consider the scenario where a single tile is waiting in theencoded tile buffer. It cannot be decoded until any of the decodersbecomes idle. This waiting time can be calculated as w=max {w1, . . . ,wp} where p is the number of decoders, and each decoder i can finishdecoding its current tile in wi seconds (a random variable). Nowconsider a general scenario where q tiles are waiting to be decoded. Inthe worst case, q is the number of tiles to appear in the next frame'sviewport, and we consider the (longest) waiting time for the last of theq tiles to be decoded. This worst-case waiting time is thus qw, whoseexpectation can be calculated as qD/p+1 by assuming each wpiindependently follows a uniform distribution on [0, D]. In the presentinvention, embodiments can use a less conservative waiting time of qw/2.Then the decoding time is estimated as the sum of the expected waitingtime and decoding time: D[f/F+q/2(p+1)]. In this equation F and p areconstants; q can also be approximated as a constant (e.g., we can use 6for 4×6 segmentation); f is derived by the tile scheduler; D can beestimated from measurements at runtime as described before. Thisdecoding time estimation can be used in other components ofviewport-adaptive 360-degree video players.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of system 200, and method 230presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3. For example, virtualizedcommunication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part a videocontent server providing a plurality of tiles of video content to aclient device.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1), suchas an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part a video content server providing aplurality of tiles of video content to a client device. The videocontent server and/or client device can comprise the computing device400.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part a video content server providing a plurality oftiles of video content to a client device.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part a video contentserver providing a plurality of tiles of video content to a clientdevice. The video content server and/or client device can comprise thecommunication device 600.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1×, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: determining a first viewpoint of a user in response to detecting a head movement of the user in viewing video content; determining a capacity of a communication network; determining a tile schedule for receiving a plurality of tiles from a video content server over the communication network according to the first viewpoint and the capacity of the communication network; providing the tile schedule to the video content server over the communication network, wherein the video content server schedules transmitting of the plurality of tiles according to the tile schedule, and wherein the video content server provides the plurality of tiles to the device according to the tile schedule; decoding the plurality of tiles according to a decoding schedule resulting in a plurality of decoded tiles; buffering the plurality of decoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer; detecting a change in viewpoint by the user from the first viewpoint to a second viewpoint of the user; selecting a portion of the plurality of decoded tiles according to the second viewpoint resulting in selected tiles; and presenting the selected tiles.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise determining a plurality of supplemental tiles surrounding the first viewpoint, wherein the video content comprises the plurality of supplemental tiles.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the operations comprise identifying a portion of plurality of supplemental tiles comprising a group of supplemental I frames, wherein the plurality of tiles in the tile schedule comprises the portion of the plurality of supplemental tiles.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the decoding the plurality of tiles comprising decoding the plurality of tiles according the group of supplemental I frames.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise identifying a group of frames according to the second viewpoint resulting in an identified group of frames, wherein the selecting of the portion of the plurality of decoded tiles comprises selecting the portion of the plurality of decoded tiles corresponding to the identified group of frames.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises one of a virtual reality headset, mobile device, communication device, set top box, media processor, or any other video content rendering device.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the video content comprises panoramic video content, 360 degree video content, or less than 360 degree video content.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise detecting the decoded frame buffer is full with the plurality of decoded tiles.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the operations comprise: identifying a first decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles, wherein the first decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is not in the first viewpoint, wherein the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the first decoded tile; and removing the first decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the operations comprise: identifying a second decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles, wherein the second decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is not in the second viewpoint, wherein the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the second decoded tile; and removing the second decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise: identifying a playback time for each of the plurality of tiles resulting in a group of playback times for each of the plurality of tiles; and generating the decoding schedule according to the group of playback times.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise: determining a waiting time for each of the plurality of tiles resulting in a group of waiting times; and generating the decoding schedule according to the group of waiting times.
 13. A machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising: determining a first viewpoint of a user in response to detecting a head movement of the user in viewing video content; determining a capacity of a communication network; determining a tile schedule for receiving a plurality of tiles from a video content server over the communication network according to the first viewpoint and the capacity of the communication network; providing the tile schedule to the video content server over the communication network, wherein the video content server schedules transmitting of the plurality of tiles according to the tile schedule, and wherein the video content server provides the plurality of tiles to the processing system according to the tile schedule; identifying a playback time for each of the plurality of tiles resulting in a group of playback times for each of the plurality of tiles; generating a decoding schedule according to the group of playback times; decoding the plurality of tiles according to the decoding schedule resulting in a plurality of decoded tiles; buffering the plurality of decoded tiles in a decoded frame buffer; detecting a change in viewpoint by the user from the first viewpoint to a second viewpoint of the user; selecting a portion of the plurality of decoded tiles according to the second viewpoint resulting in selected tiles; and presenting the selected tiles.
 14. The machine-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the operations comprise detecting the decoded frame buffer is full with the plurality of decoded tiles.
 15. The machine-readable medium of claim 14, identifying a first decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles, wherein the first decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is not in the first viewpoint, wherein the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the first decoded tile; and removing the first decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer.
 16. The machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the operations comprise: identifying a second decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles, wherein the second decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is not in the second viewpoint, wherein the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the second decoded tile; and removing the second decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer.
 17. A method, comprising: determining, by a processing system including a processor, a first viewpoint of a user in response to detecting a head movement of the user in viewing video content; determining, by the processing system, a capacity of a communication network; determining, by the processing system, a tile schedule for receiving a plurality of tiles from a video content server over the communication network according to the first viewpoint and the capacity of the communication network; providing, by the processing system, the tile schedule to the video content server over the communication network, wherein the video content server schedules transmitting of the plurality of tiles according to the tile schedule, and wherein the video content server provides the plurality of tiles to the processing system; decoding, by the processing system, the plurality of tiles according to a decoding schedule resulting in a plurality of decoded tiles; detecting, by the processing system, that a decoded frame buffer is full with the plurality of decoded tiles; identifying, by the processing system, a first decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles, wherein the first decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is not in the first viewpoint, wherein the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the first decoded tile; removing, by the processing system, the first decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer; buffering, by the processing system, the plurality of decoded tiles in the decoded frame buffer; detecting, by the processing system, a change in viewpoint by the user from the first viewpoint to a second viewpoint of the user; selecting, by the processing system, a portion of the plurality of decoded tiles according to the second viewpoint resulting in selected tiles; and presenting, by the processing system, the selected tiles.
 18. The method of claim 17, comprising: identifying, by the processing system, a second decoded tile from the plurality of decoded tiles, wherein the second decoded tile contains a portion of the video content that is not in the second viewpoint, wherein the plurality of decoded tiles comprises the first decoded tile; and removing, by the processing system, the first decoded tile from the decoded frame buffer.
 19. The method of claim 17, comprising: identifying a playback time for each of the plurality of tiles resulting in a group of playback times for each of the plurality of tiles; and generating the decoding schedule according to the group of playback times.
 20. The method of claim 17, comprising: determining a waiting time for each of the plurality of tiles resulting in a group of waiting times; and generating the decoding schedule according to the group of waiting times. 